Summer is drawing to a close, although it certainly doesn't feel like it in Auckland. The days seem to just be starting to warm up now. Summer is my favourite time of the year-the fashion, the fruit, visiting the beaches when they're at their best. I love it all. Here's what I've been loving over the Summer from beauty to fashion accessories and some miscellaneous extras. Be sure to check back later on as you'll be able to win some of these products.

Beauty

Neutrogena Beach Defense Sun Spray*-Pictured is the sunscreen version of this product as I've now used the sun spray up. You spray this directly on to the skin and can leave it to dry on its own or rub it in yourself, either way it dries pretty fast. You aren't left with the sticky, sunscreen feeling either-major bonus! The spray and sunscreen both have a lovely tropical scent. It is an SPF50 product too so I've not been badly burnt at all this Summer. 

Essie Nail Colour in Watermelon and Set in Stones-When it comes to nails in Summer we all want something fuss free, which usually means it'll dry faster and last longer on the nails. Well, Essie's polishes do a pretty good job in both those departments. They have such an array of fun Summer brights but it's these two polishes above that I've been wearing the most. Honourable mention has to go to Mint Candy Apple as well. 

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons in Peach On The Beach and Orange Punch-Like nails, in Summer lips call for something fuss-free. Bring in the lip crayons which are super easy to apply. These Bourjois offerings are creamy, pigmented and fairly long-wearing. Orange Punch leaves a subtle stain behind once it wears away so you don't need to touch this up as often. 

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler-If you've got longer hair and it's prone to become knotty or tangled in Summer (thanks sea), then you need one of these in your lives. I like to use this after washing my hair too to get all the tangles out pre blow-wave. This compact styler in particular is great as it comes with a cover so the bristles don't get caught on things in your handbag. It's not as bulky as the original tangle teezers too so it will take up less space in your bag. I'd highly recommend picking up one of these if you don't already own one.

It must have been about a year or so ago that the announcements of Saving Mr Banks, a film chronicling the story of PL Travers and Walt Disney during the pre-production phases of Mary Poppins was made. Suffice to say I was quite excited about this film. It combines three of my favourite things; Emma Thompson, Disney and Mary Poppins. When I got around to seeing this in the cinema I was not disappointed and to be honest I had very high expectations. This film is brilliant and the story within a story was not what I expected at all. It really changes your perspective on Mary Poppins and her humble beginnings.

Saving Mr Banks takes place in two different time periods. The first is set in Australia in the early 1900s with a young PL Travers and her family. It centres around her childhood and you see where some of her early inspirations for Mary Poppins originated and where her imagination and creativity stem from. The second takes place around 1960-61 in Los Angeles. PL Travers was flown in by Disney where she attended a series of meetings with the Mary Poppins creative team and Disney himself. It was not only an opportunity for Disney to hopefully secure the rights to the film, but also for Travers to offer creative input to the scripting, songwriting and even in some cases the casting. 

Having a movie within a movie can often work against films but in this case it really works in its favour. This seems to be because the blending of the two stories is done so seamlessly. There are also subtleties you'll notice between the two time periods and the final film which are all really cleverly done. For instance, PL Travers' character arrives in Los Angeles with a floral carpet bag, Mary Poppins has a carpet bag in the Disney film and then her Aunt back in Australia arrives at their homestead with a carpet bag as well. Minor plot points are introduced in the Los Angeles scenes which are then expanded upon in the backstory set in Australia as well. 

In case it wasn't obvious I think this film is brilliant on many levels. The casting is fantastic firstly. Emma Thompson is amazing as PL Travers. While she's playing such a cold woman she brings a lightness to the role which makes you really connect with the character more. Colin Farrell as PL Travers' father in the childhood story was fantastic as well. The script is really well written also. You will laugh, you will cry, and you'll definitely change the way you next watch Mary Poppins. Side note-If you're prone to getting a bit teary in films, wear waterproof mascara before seeing this and pack some tissues. You will thank me later.

Saving Mr Banks is still playing in some countries overseas but if you're in New Zealand it opens this Thursday.